Item Posted: November 25, 2008

A group of Fellows at the traditional mid-program trip to the Grand Canyon

2008 Latin America Single Region Program Ends

The Latin America Regional Program closed November 20, following the traditional seminar and dinner with EF Trustees and sponsors.

The 19 Latin American Fellows met first this summer at the regional conference in Ouro Preto, Brazil. Drawn from many professional fields, and seven Latin American countries, they embarked on their fellowship travels during a time of unprecedented change in the U.S. The financial crisis presented an enormous challenge to all of the public, private, and NGO entities with which Fellows met, and had special significance to those in the financial sectors. As well, they found a nation riveted by an historic election. Yet, despite the challenges, Fellows were generously received throughout their travels by high level representatives in all sectors, including a meeting held on a Saturday morning with senior Department of Treasury officials.

Left to right: Pablo Fernandez (Uruguay), Felipe Dias (Brazil), and Diego Valenzuela (Argentina)

The national election had a lasting impact on the Fellows. They heard hospital workers and taxi drivers sharing their views, and they witnessed long lines for early voting at a grocery store in a Hispanic neighborhood in Houston. Fellows participated in poll monitoring and knocked on doors in Kennett Square, PA, where migrant workers who were initially reticent to respond opened their doors and had lengthy conversations when they realized Fellows spoke Spanish.

Fellows have now returned home from their two-month stay in the United States. Most took real “outcomes,” conceived or solidified while in the U.S. These include joint training programs between science museums; collaborative research projects between cancer hospitals; offers of equipment and technical assistance from many institutions; introduction of new ethics codes in Peruvian law; and development of a Uruguayan think tank. A newly launched EF Latin American Women’s Network – initiated on Mamie Eisenhower’s birthday – is planning its inaugural activities.

Laura Alonso (Argentina), Gustavo Guerra-Garcia (Peru), Santiago Del Sel (Argentina), EF Trustee Nathan Hayward, and Gema Moreno (Mexico)

As one Fellow said, “These two months only represent the beginning. This program has taught me that there is so much to do, not only to fulfill my dreams, but to create a real impact in our organizations, communities, countries, and in the world. It is clearer than ever for me that I have to work very hard to become a leader of the future, and keep earning day by day, the right to be called an Eisenhower Fellow.”

Item Posted: November 25, 2008

Latin American Women's Leadership Forum a Success

Left to right: Panelist Julie Schaekel, ACE; '08 Fellow and Mistress of Ceremonies Gema Moreno, Mexico; Eden Kratchman, ACE Foundation; and '88 Fellow Marta Pascual, Argentina.

Approximately 70 guests, including 22 Eisenhower Fellows, participated in the Latin American Women’s Leadership Forum in New York City on November 14th, which also marked the birthday of Mamie Dowd Eisenhower, Ike’s wife. The event also marked the launch of the Latin American Women's Network (see details below).

Through a series of special keynote remarks, breakout sessions, and informal networking opportunities, forum participants came together to discuss how to build stronger networks for change and increase awareness of women's issues. Highlights included remarks from Ines Alberdi, '98, Spain, executive director of the United Nations Development Fund for Women; EF Trustee Christie Todd Whitman, former governor of New Jersey and founder of the Whitman Strategy Group; Ana Milena Muñoz de Gaviria, founder of COLFUTURO and former first lady of Colombia; and several other outstanding women.

To encourage the spirit of connecting, Christie Todd Whitman spoke of women’s “obligation to help one another, to support one another, and to build one another up… I know that the journey to the top is pretty much impossible without a strong network of people who can help you along the way. It’s is an indispensable ingredient to success.”

There is always more work to be done, which is why this network is so important. Ana Milena Muñoz de Gaviria said, “There is still a long road to travel…despite the multiple declarations and conventions to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women; as mothers, as educators, as workers, as thinkers and as politicians; women constitute a social model which is going to lead the course to be followed.”

EF Launches Latin American Women’s Network

Left to right: Silvia Bacher, '01, Argentina; keynote speaker Ines Alberdi, '98, Spain; and Edurne Uriarte, '01, Spain

During the Eisenhower Fellowships’ Latin American Women’s Leadership Forum in New York, EF officially launched its new Latin American Women’s Network. The network, which will encompass 40 women Fellows from the region, will enable its members to share ideas, resources and information. The mission of the group will be “to strengthen and increase the participation, leadership and impact of women throughout the Americas and to establish a network of women leaders who will generate meaningful joint activities.” Among some of the initial activities being considered by the group are education and mentoring initiatives and local and regional networking events. The group is looking forward to partnering with other organizations that are active in the region, including UNIFEM, Women’s World Banking, and Vital Voices. A regional steering committee, led by Silvia Bacher, '01, Argentina, will coordinate.

Item Posted: November 21, 2008

Lifetime Achievement Award for Conrado Etchebarne

Conrado Etchebarne, left, receives a lifetime achievement award from John Wolf

At the closing dinner of the Latin American Regional program November 20, Eisenhower Fellowships presented a “lifetime achievement” award to Conrado Etchebarne, '62, Argentina, who is also a member of the Eisenhower Fellowships Board of Trustees. In announcing the award, EF President John Wolf said:

“We draw our strength from the commitment of our Trustees; from the quality of our programs; and from the incredible network of 1,700 alumni around the world…He is an outstanding Fellow who has inspired numerous others with his leadership. He has given back more than we could have imagined to the Eisenhower Fellowships family.

In 1962 Conrado came to the U.S. for a 10-month journey to study capital markets. Upon his return home, he drafted his country’s securities and investment law. Soon after he was named Minister of Justice… (Argentina’s) first democratic presidential elections inspired him to propose the 1988 Single Nation Program… Fellows from that program went on to become Ministers of Education and Labor, an Army General and head of Gallup Poll, to name a few.

Six years later he organized an international EF conference which hosted Fellows from five continents and EF Chairman President George H.W. Bush. He has headed his country’s Nominating Committee for many years, and has been a Trustee for 17 years.

He is dear friend and colleague. And I know that if Dwight Eisenhower were here today, he would be just as proud as I am to honor his outstanding contributions to EF. Ladies and gentleman, Conrado Etchebarne of Argentina.”

Item Posted: November 21, 2008

USA Fellows Across Country Win Elections

In addition to Chellie Pingree's election to Congress (see story at bottom of page), several other USA Fellows were successful in their bids for government seats. Fellows who were recently included in election news are:

David Argall, '98: Argall was reelected as state representative for the 124th District of Pennsylvania. He was first elected to the House in 1984, and currently serves as Republican Whip.

Kerry Gibson, '05: Gibson was reelected as state representative for the 6th District of Utah.

John Piotti, '05: Piotti was recently named House Majority Leader for the state legislature of Maine. He will be serving his fourth term in the House and was previously the Chair of the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee in the 122nd Legislature and the Chair of the Taxation Committee in the 123rd Legislature. Also in Maine state legislature news, Chellie Pingree's daughter, Hannah Pingree, was elected as Speaker of the House.

Rachel Storch, '08: Storch was reelected to serve her third term as State Representative for Missouri's 64th House district, where she serves on three committees in the Missouri House: Budget; Ways and Means; and Appropriations for Transportation and Economic Development. She is also a Deputy Whip for the Democratic Caucus. Storch is currently traveling on her fellowship in Brazil.

Clint Zweifel, '09: Zweifel, who was selected as a 2009 USA Fellow, was elected as State Treasurer for the state of Missouri. He has served three terms in the Missouri House of Representatives, representing the 78th District.

Item Posted: November 18, 2008

India Fellow Wins Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award

Arbind Singh (far right) receives the Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award

Arbind Singh, '07, India, executive director of Nidan, was named Social Entrepreneur of the Year at the World Economic Forum's India Economic Summit. In India, the Social Entrepreneur Year of the Award is an initiative of The Nand & Jeet Khemka Foundation and The Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship in collaboration with the UNDP.

This award will also provide Arbind with the opportunity to take part in the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos from January 28 to February 1 and join the Schwab Foundation’s global network. Singh will have opportunities to engage with global decision-makers from the public, corporate, media, and academic sectors to strengthen and expand his model. The Nand & Jeet Khemka Foundation will honor him as the Khemka Fellow and present him with a financial award.

Nidan is developing sustainable businesses, cooperatives, trade unions and “people's institutions” led by the most excluded categories of the poor in Bihar. It has promoted and built 20 independent profit-making ventures governed and owned by the urban poor including waste workers, ragpickers, vegetable vendors, construction labourers, domestic helpers, micro-farmers, street traders and other marginalized occupation groups. As legitimate competitors in the mainstream economy, the collectives negotiate with the government for their rights and entitlements.

Item Posted: November 18, 2008

Roberto and Andrea Guerrero at the
New York City Marathon

Fellows Run in NYC, Dublin Marathons

Caroline Casey, '07, Ireland, and Andrea Guerrero, wife of '07 Chile Fellow Roberto Guerrero, both ran in the New York City Marathon on November 2. Caroline finished in 4 hours, 14 minutes, and Andrea finished in 4 hours, 43 minutes. While in New York, Caroline and Roberto also met up with their fellow 2007 MNP Fellow, Marcelo Knobel of Brazil.

In Dublin on October 27, Donal de Buitleir, '87, Ireland, ran in the 29th Annual Dublin Marathon for the 29th consecutive year. He finished in 4 hours, 26 minutes.

Item Posted: November 17, 2008

RTNC Fellow Now Head of Southern Growth Policies Board

Ted Abernathy, '01, USA, was recently named executive director of the Southern Growth Policies Board. He previously was executive vice president and COO of the Research Triangle Regional Partnership (RTRP). Abernathy succeeds Jim Clinton, who served as Executive Director from 1990 until his resignation last month.

Of his new position, Abernathy said, "At this time in my career, I believe this offers a tremendous opportunity for me to be involved in making the South more economically competitive. As a life-long Southerner, I have seen my grandparents work in the textile mills and on the farm, and I have been a part of the technological growth in the Research Triangle. The Southern Growth Policies Board can help our Southern states and communities convert knowledge into the actions that will yield a better quality of life for all our citizens."

Item Posted: November 17, 2008

Two USA Fellows Join Argentina Fellows for Fifth Annual Argentine American Seminar

Andrea Cabral and Tony Habit at the fifth annual Argentine American Seminar

Tony Habit, '00, USA, and Andrea Cabral, '07, USA, were guest speakers at the fifth annual Jornadas Conference, organized by ICANA and the Eisenhower Fellows of Argentina, and sponsored by the ACE Foundation. Discussing topics of "City Initiatives for the Young," Habit and Cabral were joined by Argentina Fellows Enrique Pinedo, '57; Julio Alvarez, '60; Alberto Mondet, '65; Alberto Gabrielli, '69; Ignacio Braun Cantilo, '79; Marita Carballo, '88; Felipe Noguera, '88; Monica Gonzalez de Bordon, '97; Silvia Bacher, '01; Carlos Regazzoni, '04, in addition to nearly 150 other participants.

The Argentine American Seminar was created as a space to debate ideas and exchange knowledge about different subjects in order to foster a better understanding among the people of Argentina, the United States, and other countries. Ambassador Anthony Wayne opened the seminar thanking ICANA and EF for pulling together efforts in hosting this event and the space for dialogue.

Item Posted: November 5, 2008

Eisenhower Fellow Elected to Congress

Chellie Pingree, '97, USA, was elected to the United States House of Representatives for Maine's 1st District. Pingree, who traveled to Hungary on her fellowship, is the former president and CEO of Common Cause, a nonpartisan citizens' lobbying group based in Washington, DC.

Click here to read Fellow News from October 2008.